College hoops: Illinois, Michigan State on different arcs that will collide tonight

Published: Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 11:17 p.m. CST

Caption

(AP)

Illinois' Joseph Bertrand goes up between Nebraska's Andre Almeida (left) and David Rivers during one of the Illini's rare recent victories last Tuesday in Lincoln, Neb.

BY SHANNON RYAN
Chicago Tribune

Two months ago, Illinois turned out could-this-really-be-happening moments with victories against Butler and Gonzaga. Those wins now seem like they happened to another team in another era.

Michigan State looked at the start of the season like it was finally having a down year, losing to Connecticut and Miami and struggling against Boise State and Louisiana-Lafayette.

Both Big Ten teams have reversed course, but the Illini (15-6, 2-5) will try to join the No. 13 Spartans (17-4, 6-2) on an upward journey with an upset tonight in East Lansing, Mich.

The difference for Illinois?

“Shot-making,” coach John Groce said. “We probably had more defensive miscues [earlier in the season] than in the last several weeks. We overcame some of those things because we were making shots at such a high level.”

Illinois once led the nation in 3-point shooting.

In Big Ten play, the Illini have hit 40 percent only twice: 48.3 against Ohio State and 45.3 at Nebraska, both victories.

In their five conference losses, the Illini have shot 36.3 percent overall and 23 percent on 3-pointers.

“We can play better than where we’re playing right now,” Groce said. “That should happen when you have a good attitude.”

As in most seasons, coach Tom Izzo’s team has improved with every flip of the calendar.

“They are hitting their stride,” Groce said of the Spartans, who have won six of seven and nearly knocked off Indiana on Sunday.

The Spartans’ size especially concerns Groce. Adreian Payne and Derrick Nix turned in dominant performances in the post against the Hoosiers.

“They’ve gotten a lot better,” Groce said. “We’re getting it inside more. They’re sealing better. Their passing is better. They’ve given us a presence on the glass. ... We’ve definitely seen a lot of improvement.”

That’s something the Illini would like to say as a team after tonight.